Institute for Forensic Science

Institute for Forensic Science

We are happy to announce as of August 1, 2018, the Institute for Forensic Science
will be located with the rest of the Department of Environmental Toxicology at the
Reese Technology Center:

Mailing address: Box 47406, Lubbock, TX 79409-7406

Physical address: 1207 Gilbert Drive, Lubbock, TX 79416

Phone: 806-885-4567

Fax: 806-885-4577

Don't forget: Applications for Spring 2019 admission due September 30th!

Mission Statement

The Institute for Forensic Science at Texas Tech University is committed to the production
and dissemination of interdisciplinary forensic science research through a unique
multidisciplinary program that provides outstanding education, research, and professional
training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at TTU, and local and
regional law enforcement. The Institute is a comprehensive teaching, training, and
research organization in all aspects of forensic science. The Institute is committed
to providing outstanding service to the university, profession, and community. We
are committed to supporting local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies through
the sharing of ideas, problem-solving, and empiricism promoting prosocial values and
contributing to safer communities.

Location

The Institute for Forensic Science is located with the Reese Technology Center at
1207 South Gilbert Drive in Lubbock. IFS-offered trainings (unless otherwise noted)
will be held at the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office Academy at 712 Broadway in Lubbock.

Institute News and Student Achievements

May 8, 2018:Two of our students placed first place in their sections at the recent TTU Graduate
Student Research Poster Competition. Ms. Kashmiere McGee won first place in the human
sciences section, and Mr. Ethan Dodson won first place in the psychological sciences
section. Congrats, Kash and Ethan!

Katie Blanar will present her thesis prospectus entitled "The Use of Entomological
Samples as Potential Odor Biomarker for Decomposition Stages" on May 2, 2018 at the
Institute for Forensic Sciences, room 121 at 10:00 AM. Thesis committee includes Paola
Prada, Ph.D. (Chair), Celine Goddard, Ph.D., and Alexandra Protopropova, Ph.D.

Kierstyn Evans will present her thesis prospectus entitled "Determining the Confidence
of Fingerprint Examiners at Various Steps in the ACE-V Method" on May 7, 2018 at the
Institute for Forensic Sciences, room 121 at 9:00 AM. Thesis committee includes Megan
Thoen, Ph.D. (Chair), Paola Prada, Ph.D., and Miranda Scolari, Ph.D.

March 9, 2018:Dr. Megan Thoen and undergradute student Esteisy Escalera presented two posters at
the annual conference of the American-Psychology and Law Society in Memphis, TN. The
posters were entitled, "A Study of New Correctional Officers: Observations of Wellness
and Job Satisfaction" (authors: M. Thoen, T. Blanco-Alvarez, P. McCullough, and L.
E. Dodson of the Institute for Forensic Science, and E. Escalera of the Dept. of Psychological
Sciences) and "Forensic Evaluations Via Telecommunication: Legal Perspectives of Advantages
and Disadvantages" (authors: M. Thoen and E. Escalera, and A. Batastini and M. Pike
of the University of Southern Mississippi).

March 8, 2018: THESIS DEFENSES. Lauren Alejandro will be defending her thesis entitled "The Evaluation of Canine Training
Aids Over Time on Working Dog Performance" on March 22, 2018 at the Institute for
Forensic Sciences, room 121 at 10:00 AM. Thesis committee includes Paola Prada, Ph.D.
(Chair), Nathaniel Hall, Ph.D., and Megan Thoen, Ph.D.

Jaxon Ward will be defending his thesis entitled "Weather and Its Effects on Homicide
Rate and Injury Type in Harris County, Texas" on March 21, 2018 at the Institute for
Forensic Sciences, room 121 at 9:30 AM. Thesis committee includes Kathy Sperry, Ph.D.
(Chair), Paola Prada, Ph.D., and Megan Thoen, Ph.D.

Everyone is welcome to join!

February 22-23, 2018:Three of our students presented their work at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
annual meeting.

January 26, 2018: THESIS PROSPECTUS PRESENTATION.Thy Nguyen will be presenting her thesis prospectus on February 1, 2018, in the IFS
classroom (Rm. 121) at 3:00p. Her thesis is entitled, "A Novel Method for the Creation
of Canine Explosive Detection Training Aids Using an Olfactometer." Her thesis committee
includes Paola Prada, Ph.D. (chair), Nathaniel Hall, Ph.D., and Kathy Sperry, Ph.D.
Everyone is welcome to attend!

January 16, 2018:Dr. Paola Prada is now the graduate program director for forensic science! We look
forward to her guidance and leadership!

January 1, 2018: Students Lauren Alejandro and Kashmiere McGee had posters accepted for the Young Scientist
Forum poster session for the upcoming American Academy of Forensic Sciences conference
in Seattle, WA. Congratulations!

October 27, 2017:Part of the mission of the Institute for Forensic Science is outreach to the local
community and educating others on forensic science. We recently hosted a group from
South Plains College. If your class/group is interested in a tour, please contact
Dr. Morgan.

October 26, 2017: Our student group, the Forensic Science Society, assisted with the TTU National Ranching
Heritage Center's Junior Rough Riders Fall Corral. The event was for children in 1st-5th
grade and they were tasked with becoming honorary crime solvers to determine the thief
who stole the NRHC's wooden cow herd. The event also included participation from the
Lubbock Police Department, and the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. For more
pictures, visit the FSS webpage.

October 10, 2017:Two forensic science students and faculty had their poster presentation submissions
accepted for the upcoming American Academy of Forensic Sciences conference in Seattle,
WA. Congratulations!

"Narcotic Age and Working Dog Performance: Instrumental Perspectives on Training Aid
Lifespan" by Lauren Alejandro and Dr. Paola Prada

"Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Programming Among United States Police Agencies"
by Ethan Dodson, Dr. Megan Thoen, Dr. Brandy Pina-Watson (TTU Dept. of Psychological
Sciences), and Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo (TTU Dept. of Human Development and Family
Studies)

September 19, 2017: Dr. Prada and three members from her research group successfully presented research
posters summarizing current thesis projects at the 6th International Conference on
Forensic Research and Technology in Houston, Texas. Dr. Prada was also the plenary
guest speaker giving a presentation entitled: "Forensic Odorology: A silent and forgotten
trace evidence source in criminal investigations". Student poster presentations included:

"Evaluation of K9 narcotic training aid age: an insight into the "instrumental sniff"
of common drugs" by Lauren Alejandro

September 8, 2017: Effective immediately, we are now the Institute for Forensic Science,
Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University. This merger allows for to better position the Institute going forward with regard
to space and resources, as well as greater opportunities for graduate student funding
and faculty lines. The Department of Environmental Toxicology also is home to the
Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH).

August 12, 2017:Stemming from her Master's thesis, program alumna Sarah Shutic and members of her
thesis committee recently published "Forensic identification of pharmaceuticals via
portable x-ray fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy" in Forensic Science
International. The article is available online:

August 12, 2017: Congratulations to our latest graduate-- Nicholas Knowlton. We wish you the best of
luck!

June 27, 2017: Dr. Robert Morgan, IFS director, was just announced as this year's Leadership in
Education Award recipient from the American Psychological Association's Div. 18 (Psychologists
in Public Service). This annual award "recognizes an educator with an outstanding
record of teaching or training at any level of education — from high school to postgraduate
continuing education. This person promotes learning and, in so doing, enhances the
field of public service psychology." Congrats, Dr. Morgan!

May 19, 2017:Congratulations to our latest graduates-- Tatiana Blanco-Alvarez, Courtney Brown,
Rebecca Camacho, John-William Knight, Cheyenne Robinson, Sarah Shutic, and Breanna
Turner. We wish you all the best of luck!

May 4, 2017: During the week of April 17-21st, 2017, Dr. Paola Prada was the plenary guest speaker
at the 2nd International Forensic Odorology Seminar hosted in Villa Regina, Argentina.
Dr. Prada had the opportunity to train law enforcement personnel in canine detection
disciplines such as narcotics and human odor.